Canceling ADR's same day?

[IBLarsen]

I see the rule about being charged if we don't cancel an ADR something like 24 hrs in advance. How strict are they if we cancel an evening ADR mid day? One of our days are up in the air as to whether or not we come back for an evening in HS where I have an ADR at Sci-Fi for dinner. If we cancel several hours in advance will we still be charged?

 

[TwizzleMouse]

Yes.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think you will be. I certainly would not go past close of business day before unless you are willing to pay the penalty.

 

[rlovew]

You can't even call and change to a different reservation day of or you will be charged at the original place for your ADR. Someone needs to go to the ADR or you lose out.

 

[Jedimike]

I see the rule about being charged if we don't cancel an ADR something like 24 hrs in advance. How strict are they if we cancel an evening ADR mid day? One of our days are up in the air as to whether or not we come back for an evening in HS where I have an ADR at Sci-Fi for dinner. If we cancel several hours in advance will we still be charged?

Their general policy is to charge, but they are also reasonable if you ask. Two examples: 1) we had reservations for dinner in Mexico Pavilion one evening at Epcot. However, the heavens opened up about two hours before dinner so we decided to head back to the hotel for the evening. I called the main WDW DINE number and told them we were heading back to the hotel because the weather and they were happy and willing to cancel our reservation w/o charging us. 2) we were supposed to meet some friends at Kona at the Polynesian for dinner at ~6:00 PM one evening when our friends contacted us and asked us to have dinner earlier, at 4:00 PM because their young kids wouldn't withstand a late dinner. I was staying at the Polynesian so went to Kona to inquire about an earlier dinner reservation. Turns out they weren't even open for dinner until 5:00 PM, so I asked about canceling. The person I spoke to had to grab a manager to process it for me, but she was willing to do it "this one time only."

I wouldn't feel good about asking them to cancel same day for my reason #2 above, but if weather were an issue, or if someone got sick or something, I think they are willing to make exceptions.

 

[Alesia]

You need to cancel before midnight the day before your ADR if you don't wan't to be charged.

 

[ellie05]

They will charge you. When I was making ADRs for our trip the page was having some issues and I had to reload it. When I did, I didn't notice the month had change for the current month. I notice it immediately after I made it. I called right away and I had to talk to a manager in order to wave the fee because it was 20 hrs from the reservation time. If the reservation was not made 5 min before they for sure would have charge me.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

OP, the reason you stated is the exact reason Disney now charges for day of cancellations. Too many people were being too cavalier about their ADRs, cancelling last minute or just plain not showing up. That's bad business for Disney and shuts people out who really want to eat at that restaurant.

 

[cybershmecky]

We have cancelled due to pouring rain just a few hours before, and they were understanding and didn't charge. Also one time we had to stay at the room waiting for a Doctor and they didn't charge for the missed reservation. I always tell them why we are cancelling.

 

[Felipe4]

I had an issue last year where the App was having problems and I was unable to cancel a reservation (didn't bring a computer). I called the next morning to let them know I couldn't cancel the night before and they waived the fee.

 

[baseballnut]

Our DD became sick that morning and I called to cancel our dinner ADR (in a panic, because my daughter was sick AND because I didn't want to get charged) and they didn't charge us. Whew.

However, if it's just an "up in the air" kind of day, I'd try to either stick to your plans or give up the ressie early for someone else.

 

[Nancyg56]

If you are up in the air, you probably should come back down and make a decision. Disney got strict about their ADR policy because so many people were either making several ADR's so they could decide at teh last minute where they wanted to eat, and others were ding the same thing as you are thinking of doing. Canceling if you don't feel like going. AS much as I dislike this new policy, I understand why Disney felt the need to implement it.

 

[Suzanne74]

OP, the reason you stated is the exact reason Disney now charges for day of cancellations. Too many people were being too cavalier about their ADRs, cancelling last minute or just plain not showing up. That's bad business for Disney and shuts people out who really want to eat at that restaurant.

Exactly. I get that it is hard to figure out reservations in advance but all this overbooking of ADR's is really annoying which is why Disney is doing this.

 

[Wills Mom]

I know its not the same but its similar. We booked our eldest DS into Harmony Barbershop for his first haircut at 14 months. We got to the park about an hour before the booking and DS went into full on meltdown mode. When I realised he wasn't going to calm down any time soon I ran over to the barbershop to tell them they could give our ressie to one of the many people queuing. I said I would of course pay the penalty but the lady brushed it off and said of course they wouldn't charge for circumstances beyond our control. So I presume ADRs are similarly viewed.